Means for protecting the propeller and rudder of boats



May 17, 1932. H, EAH Y 1,858,582

MEANS FOR PROTECTING- THE PROPELLER AND RUDDER OF BOATS Filed Dec. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l May 17, 1932. E. H. FAHRNEY MEANS FOR PROTECTING THE PROPELLBR AND RUDDER OF BOATS Filed Dec.- 22, 1928 Patented May 17, 1932 EMERY H. FAHRNEY, OF CHTGAGO, ILLINOIS MEANS FOR PROTECTING THE PROPELLER AND RUDDER OF BOATS Application filed December 22, 1928.

Heretofore with boats in which the propeller or the rudder, or both, project below the bottom of the boat, they are frequently damaged by contacting with a pro ecting submerged rock or other object or by reason of contact with the bottom in shallow water.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to improve the means for mounting and securing or holding the propeller, or the rudder or both, in an operative position so that they will project below the boat bottom during normal conditions but will V yield when struck by a submerged object which would otherwise damage the same, or when '15 running aground or into shallow water.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty insubstantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which V Figure 1 is aview partly in vertical section and partly in elevation of the rear portion of a boat having an attachment constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, with parts omitted and showing the position the attachment will take when released by contact with a projecting object.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designates a boat having arran ed therein the usual engine or motor 11. onnected to the engine shaft is a coupling member 12, and which coupling member is located in alinement with and preferably adjacent an opening 13 in the back 14 of the boat.

Encompassing the opening 13 and secured to the outer face of the back 14 is a member 15 having an opening 16 therein registering with the opening 13 and encompassing the opening 16 is a packing gland 17.

Serial No. 327,781.

The member 15 ispreferably provided with spaced projecting ears 18, preferably arranged adjacent the top thereof and similarly projecting ears 19 arranged adjacent the bottom thereof, the member 15 being secured to the boat back in any desired or suit able manner, such, as by means of, fastening devices 20.

- A supporting member or frame designated generally by the reference numeral 21 is provided with bearings 22-723 in which a vertical shaft 24 is journaled, the shaft being arranged within a chamber 25 and extending through a tubular extension 26 and has an operativeconnection with a propeller 27. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 24 for rotation therewith are gear wheels 28'29 preferably of the beveled type, which mesh with a beveled gear 30, the latter being secured .to a shaft 31 for rotation therewith and connected with the shaft 3l-is a coupling member 32 which projects for some distance beyond the casing 25. Keyed to the shaft 24 is a clutch member 38 which is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the shaft by means of an operating lever 34 arranged in a convenient position for the operator. Clutch faces 3536 are provided on the clutch member 38 and these clutch faces respectively cooperate with clutch faces 3738 respectively secured to the gears 28-29 so that when the clutch member 33 is shifted, oneor the other of the gears 2829 may be connected with the shaft 24 for rotation therewith, the direction of ro- V tation of the shaft being controlled by the respective gears 28-29.

The supporting structure '21 is provided with spaced ears 39 which are adapted to be connected with the ears 18011 the member 15 by means of a suitable fastening pin or shaft 40 so thatthe entire structure or frame 21 with the propeller shaft and propeller together with the gears 28, 29 and 30 and the actuating lever 34 may be swung about the pivot formed by the shaft 40. When the supporting structure 21 is in the position shown in Figure 1 the coupling member 12 .will pass through the openings16 and 13 respectively in the members 15 and the wall 14 of the boat to engage and cooperate with the coupling member 12 on the shaft of the engine or motor 11, thereby connecting the shaft 31 with the motor.

In order to hold the parts in this position the supporting structure 21 is preferably provided with additional ears 41 which are adapted to be positioned adjacent the ears 19 on the member 15 and a fastening member 42 in the form of a .pin or. bolt is passed through the cooperating ears for holding the supporting structure 21 -in'the position shown in Figure 1.

This fastening pin or bolt 42 is constructed of some frangible material or material adapted to be sheared or cut when undue strain is placed thereupon, so that when the parts are in the position shown in Figure l and p when the boat is advancing, should the depending portion of the supporting structure 21 strike a projecting submerged object or the bottom when in shallow water, the fastening device or pin 42'will besheared, cut

or broken so as to allow the supporting struce ture 21 to swing to the position shown in Figure 2 about the pivot 40, or to a suflicient extent to allow the depending portion of the supporting structure 21 to pass over the projecting object or drag along the bottom in shallow water, thereby preventing the propeller and operating mechanism therefor from being injured. When the supporting structure swings to the position shown in Figure 2, the coupling members 3212 will readily separate to permit of such movement; 2 V

r If desired, the supporting structure 21 may be provided with suitable bearings 43 for the rudder shaft 44 to which the rudder I 45 is connected and the rudder is adapted to force the supporting frameor structure 21 against the end of theboat. However, when the'boat is being propelled backwardly, the pin 42 will be necessary.

l/Vith this improved construction it will manifest that the device may be readily appliedto a boat-and when in use will be protected against injury. I

While the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown'anddescribed, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangementsof the several parts, within the scope of the claims,

without departing from the spirit of thisinvention.

What is claimed as new is 1. In combination, a boat, a motor therein stress, and a separable connection between the propeller shaft and themotor.

2. In combination, a boat, a motor therein fixed against bodily movement, a propeller, a support for the propeller, a propeller shaft, means connecting the support to the boat for pivotal movement on'an" axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boat, means yieldingly holding the said support in a position that the propeller will be disposed below the boat, the last recited means embodying an element destructible under abnormal pres sure, and a separable connection between the propeller shaft and the motor.

In combination, a boat, a motor therein fixed against bodily movement,'a propeller, a support for the propeller, a propeller shaft, means connecting the support to the boat for pivotal movement on an axistransverse to the longitudinal axis of the boat, a fastening element for maintaining said support from swinging movement about its pivot, said fastening means being destructible under abnormal strain and a separable connection between the propeller shaft and the motor.

4. In combination, a boat, a driving shaft therein, a support, means mounting the support for swinging movement; with respect to the boat, a propeller'carried by the support, means for maintaining the support against swinging movement under normal conditions, the last said means being yieldable under abnormal conditions, and means whereby. the swinging movement of the said support will connect and disconnect the propeller respectively with and from the said driving shaft,

the second recited means embodying an element destructible under abnormal stress thereupon.

5. In combination a craft, propelling mechanism therefor, said propelling mechanism projecting from the craft and into the water, a motor in the craft fixed against bodily movement, means for maintaining the propelling mechanism against bodily movement with respect to the shaft, the said means being adapted to automatically yield under abnormal conditions whereby the said propel ling means will bodily shift with respect to the craft, the said means also embodying an element destructible under an abnormal stress and a separable connection between the propeller shaft and the motor. a

6. In combination, a craft, steering mechanism therefor, said steering mechanism projecting from the craft and into the water, a motor for the craft fixed against bodily movement, means for maintaining the steering mechanism against bodily movement with respect to the craft, the said means being adapted to automatically yield under abnormal conditions whereby the said steering mechanism will bodily shift with respect to the craft, the said means also embodying an element destructible under an abnormal stress, and a separable connection between the propeller mechanism and the motor.

In testimony whereof. I have signed my name to this specification on this 18th day of December, 1928.

V EMERY H. FAHRNEY. 

